Founder

JSS Mahavidyapeetha

JSS Mahavidyapeetha came into existence as the brain child of His Holiness Jagadguru Dr. Sri Sri Shivaratri Rajendra Mahaswamiji in 1954. His Holiness strongly believed that education is the only weapon to eradicate poverty. So, Swamiji opened a number of education institutions and hostels in and around Mysuru.

JSS Mahavidyapeetha takes a lead in spreading literacy, learning, providing health care, nurturing rural development and ensuring a better quality of life. It is a model socio-cultural and spiritual institution providing strong thrust on social, cultural, spiritual and ethical values through JSS Sharana Sahithya, JSS Music forum, JSS Kala Mantapa, Mysore Citizen Forum, JSS Old age home, JSS Spiritual Mission and so on.

Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamigalu, the 23rd pontiff, ascended the Holy Seat in 1928, when he was hardly twelve and shared the responsibilities with his senior, Jagadguru Pattada Shivarathri Mahaswamigalu. Like his illustrious predecessor he was a firm believer in the good of one and all. Jagadguruji had been at the helm of affairs of the Math for more than half a century, a period full of events seeking nothing but the welfare of all.

A scholar in Kannada and Sanskrit Jagadgurugalu knew English also. He was a patron of arts and literature. He was thoughtful and sensitive to an astonishing degree. But he had, unlike others, mastered the art of turning every noble thought of his into a reality. The wisdom of all his predecessors seemed to have culminated in him. Every step he took was a step forward in search of new areas of service. That was how he could build an empire of educational institutions. But he was not an emperor seeking any sort of aggrandizement. Essentially he was a tireless worker, without any selfish ends.

However, the early years of his pontificate were not rosy. It was often reflected that he had to struggle relentlessly and staked his personal comforts to get even a small work done. A single minded dedication to a task aimed at the welfare of all alone goaded him to trudge a path of sacrifice. For this discipline, if we can call it so, he owed a deep debt of gratitude to his senior, Pattada Shivarathri Swamigalu. His Holiness attained Samadhi in 1986 and the shrine can be visited at Suttur.

His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, the present president of JSS Mahavidyapeetha and 24th Pontiff of Sri Suttur Mutt has been the torch bearer of its tradition of providing educational excellence. Under his able guidance, JSS Mahavidyapeetha extended its wing to foreign countries also. JSS Mahavidyapeetha runs more than 350 institutions including Medical, Engineering, Spiritual, Paramedical, Pharmaceuticals and General Education.

All over the world more than 10000 employees rendering service to the society to fulfil the dream of His Holiness Jagadguru Dr. Shivaratri Rajendra Mahaswamiji. More than 50,000 students are studying at different levels of education. JSS Mahavidyapeetha is dedicated and committed to education and community development. JSS Mahavidyapeetha lives up to the statement in it s logo “Work is Workship”.

Constant endeavour is being done to realize the noble words of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. In one of his messages Swamiji said “A University is not just an institution for imparting knowledge and producing skilled Doctors, Engineers, Pharmacists and so on. It must take up the task of arousing the spirit of curiosity amongst its students – a burning desire to expand the frontiers of knowledge”.